Keane and Donovan propel Galaxy to rout of Earthquakes

When Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane are clicking, they play as well as any forward tandem in the history of MLS. On Saturday night they provided another showcase of that outstanding form, serving notice that the defending MLS Cup champions are finding their form.

Keane registered two goals and an assist, while Donovan added a goal of his own, to help lead the Galaxy to a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night.

Donovan opened the scoring when he ran onto a perfectly-timed long pass from Keane to get behind the Earthquakes defense for the 1-0 lead.

Keane made it 2-0 just before halftime, converting a penalty kick drawn by Gyasi Zardes after a foul by Steve Beitashour. Keane added his second of the night, and seventh goal in five matches, in the 67th minute when he finished off a Gyasi Zardes pass.

The Earthquakes were dismantled on a night they were missing regular starters Victor Bernardez, Rafael Baca and Justin Morrow. Their offense provided little threat to the Galaxy, mustering just two shots on goal.

The victory, LA’s third straight, keeps them in second place in the Western Conference, while San Jose marked their third match in four without a victory, keeping the Earthquakes in eighth place in the Western Conference.

Here are the match highlights:

What did you think of the Galaxy’s performance? See LA as the title favorites once again? have you seen a better forward tandem in MLS than Keane and Donovan? Think the Earthquakes can regroup and mount a playoff push?

Moreno and Lassiter were the only one that came to mind, but I don’t think so. I don’t think you’d swap out either of them for Donovan or Keane. But they at least can break down defenses in a variety of ways… just not as many as D & K can.

Wondo and that frickin’ obnoxious chia pet partner of his don’t come anyway near the class of these two. They are all about route one football. That’s pretty much it.

Yep, no question. They both read the game at the highest level. Their combined speed of thought is instinctual and seamless…with their speed and technical abilities they can toy with defenses. No other tandem is close…basically very strong international quality play versus MLS defenders. As a Quakes fan I’ve seen it first hand far too many times. Tough to be on the receiving end, but I infinitely respect the first class quality of the their attacking play…

He is. He has a lot to learn, but he shows signs of doing just that. He has been more patient around the area and is bringing in his teams more. Early in the season he shot from anywhere at any time. Then he finally realized, “Oh, that’s Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane over there!”

He has progressed on his learning curve more quickly than Villareal, who frankly looked ahead of him a couple months back. It’s interesting to wonder what his upside really is.

Can’t decide which I enjoyed more – a sparkling performance by an in-form Galaxy in front of a packed house? Or the fact that the Quakes looked so outmatched, they actually pulled Sideshow Steve even though they needed goals. Great night at The Hub!